Cons

Far from downtown Dublin

Rooms are lacking in special decor

Bottom Line

The Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa is located about half an hour northwest of Dublin's city center. The historic property -- an 18th-century castle turned Georgian house, turned convent, turned hotel -- sits on beautiful green grounds, making it a popular spot for weddings and events. The 145 rooms are spacious and modern, though lack any wow factor in the decor department. However, linens are crisp, there is free Wi-Fi, and the castle offers 24-hour room service. Additional room amenities include electric kettles and safes, and suites have luxurious soaking tubs. The biggest highlight here is the spa, with its serene hydrotherapy pool, outdoor hot tub, and variety of treatments. A lovely lobby has plush seating and a fireplace, and the fitness room is adequate. The location may be out of the way, but with a library, restaurant, three bars, and several golf courses nearby, there is plenty to keep guests entertained.

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Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa is located 30 minutes outside of Dublin's city center, surrounded by golf courses and shopping centers. It is a great place to relax and get away from the city, but if the center of Dublin is part of the itinerary, a car is absolutely necessary.

Dublin has changed dramatically in the last 15 years. First there was the boom of the Celtic Tiger that brought great development and growth to the city. As a result of this wave of wealth, the city now has a cosmopolitan feel that it never had before. Since the economic bust, restaurants and hotels have generally retained the same quality, but the city is less expensive. Dublin has beautiful gardens, museums, and theaters, but it is the everyday things in the Irish capital -- like sitting in a local pub and having a pint -- that are more exciting here than anywhere else.